CSR Press Release

WASHINGTON, Nov. 02 /CSRwire/ - In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) reported today that businesses have pledged more than $38 million towards relief efforts.  The business donations represent cash, in-kind products or services, and employee and customer matching campaigns.

“Hurricane Sandy will have tremendous economic consequences for businesses and communities across the country,” said the BCLC’s Gerald McSwiggan, senior manager of BCLC’s Disaster Assistance & Recovery Program.  “The business community’s goal is to help those impacted by the storm recover and rebuild.”

Twenty five companies so far have pledged $1 million or more in resources.  The companies include: Abbott; Bank of America Foundation; BNY Mellon; Capital One Financial Corporation; The Citi Foundation; Coca-Cola Company; Enterprise; Disney; FedEx; General Motors; The Home Depot Foundation; HSBC; JPMorgan Chase; Kohl’s; Lowe’s; Mercedes Benz; Morgan Stanley; NBA; News Corporation; New York Life; NFL; Time Warner; Toyota; Viacom, Inc.; and Wells Fargo.

Business donors are listed on BCLC’s online Sandy Corporate Aid Tracker.  Since its founding in 2000, BCLC has served as the coordination hub and liaison between businesses that contribute to disaster response and the nonprofits and communities seeking assistance.  The business community has been a major partner in disaster relief and recovery for several years and in a variety of disaster settings.  A chart detailing the business community’s financial contributions can be found here.

In addition to tracking corporate donations, BCLC’s disaster response system includes the Disaster Help Desk for Business, response briefings for the public and media, and local trouble-shooting services that connect donations to where they are needed most.

Before, during, and after disasters, the Disaster Help Desk for Business provides fast and reliable coordination of information among businesses, local chambers, disaster responders and donors.  Since its launch in 2007, the Help Desk has assisted more than 19,000 inquiries from small business owners and supporting organizations from across the nation.  The Help Desk is made possible through the Office Depot Foundation.

About the U.S. Chamber Business Civic Leadership Center

BCLC is the U.S. Chamber’s resource and voice for businesses’ social and philanthropic interests.  Its mission is to advance the positive role of business in society. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

About the Disaster Help Desk for Business

Before, during and after disasters, the Disaster Help Desk for Business provides fast and reliable coordination of information among businesses, local chambers, disaster responders and donors. Since its launch in 2007, the Help Desk has assisted more than 19,000 inquiries from small business owners and supporting organizations from across the nation. The Help Desk is made possible through the Office Depot Foundation.

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